Pattaya City weighs new LED lighting design to boost safety and visual appeal on Walking Street—tourists say the flashy signs promise fun, just watch out for the potholes on the way. PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya is lighting up again—literally. Tourists strolling down Walking Street are greeted with dazzling LED signs, multilingual banners, and bright “Welcome” messages splashed across popular areas of the city. From Bali Hai Pier to Beach Road, Pattaya is making it clear: visitors are wanted and warmly invited. On Walking Street in particular, the spectacle is unmistakable. Neon arches, light displays, and digital billboards pulse with energy, offering the kind of nightlife dazzle that made Pattaya famous worldwide. For tourists, especially first-time visitors, it feels like the city is in top form. It’s clear the local authorities and tourism promoters are going all out to show hospitality. New selfie-friendly installations have popped up near Bali Hai Pier, and Walking Street looks more like Times Square than ever before—at least at night. For short-stay tourists, it gives a sparkling impression: the city is alive, welcoming, and ready for business. But for long-term foreign residents—those who live here year-round—the glitter doesn’t distract from deeper concerns. “Walking Street looks like Vegas now, but try navigating it after a rainstorm,” one British expat commented. “The drainage still can’t handle a 20-minute shower. You’re wading through puddles and dodging potholes in flip-flops.” Others point out the cracked and uneven sidewalks, not just in the nightlife zone but throughout Pattaya. Slick tiles, missing paving bricks, and loosely covered drains have long been a safety hazard. The problem isn’t new—but with so much investment going into the city’s image, some are wondering why it hasn’t been solved. “I appreciate the welcome signs,” said a retiree living in Pratumnak. “But instead of flashing lights, how about flashing warning signs near broken footpaths? That would be more useful.” So while the effort to boost tourism is in full swing, the question lingers: Have they finally fixed the pavements and drainage, especially on busy streets and across Pattaya? Or is it just more sparkle over the same old cracks? Rainy season will answer that question soon enough. In the meantime, don’t forget to watch your step—no matter how brightly the city smiles.